Patel and Gohel prop up Gujarat

Valsad: Young Smit Patel scored his maiden first-class century while Samit Gohel scored a patient 85 to take Gujarat to a comfortable position against Hyderabad after the opening day's play in their Ranji Trophy Group A match here on Saturday.

Gujarat were comfortably placed at 254 for two at stumps and are well on course to post a big first innings total at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium.

Hyderabad's decision to field first backfired as Smit and Gohel raised 163 runs for the opening stand.

In the process, Smit notched up his maiden first-class century, an impressive 114 off 240 balls which was laced with 15 hits to the fence.

Gohel, playing only in his second first-class match, was not far behind as he scored his 85 off 186 balls during which he struck 14 boundaries.

It took Hyderabad bowlers 55 overs to break the century partnership between Smit and Gohel when Anwar Ahmed induced an edge from Gohel which was gleefully collected by Abhinav Kumar behind the stumps.

Gohel's dismissal hardly had any affect on Smit who went about his business in style and stitched another important partnership ' this time 87 runs for the first wicket with Bhargav Merai ' to take Gujarat forward.

Smit fell just 4.1 overs before the close of play. He edged a Lalit Mohan delivery to wicket-keeper Abhinav while trying to cut the left-arm spinner.

Merai was batting on 45 at the draw of stumps and giving him company at the other end was Kushang Patel (2).